Someone with high-functioning anxiety stresses out over every detail. They may revise a written work many times over. They may check-in with employees many times a day, exercising too much control. They may become afraid of failure.
Individuals with high-functioning anxiety tend to be loyal to a fault in relationships for fear of not doing well enough. They have a high risk of substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Most people with high-functioning anxiety will not acknowledge their inner turmoil for fear of letting others down.
People with high-functioning anxiety may struggle with feelings of self-doubt, overthink, fear letting others down, experience racing thoughts, meticulously double-check minor details and have difficulty relaxing.
Some people also develop nervous tics when they're anxious. Examples include shaking your leg up and down, touching your face, winking, or blinking and more.
Neglecting yourself and not taking care of your personal needs can be an anxiety trigger. Whether you're not showering regularly, skipping meals, staying up too late or not going to the doctor, it's important to evaluate these behaviors and work to take better care of yourself.
The most common physical symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, muscle aches, muscle weakness, headaches, digestion, discomfort and tingling sensations.
“Individuals with high functioning anxiety tend to do a good job at hiding their symptoms from others,” says Dr. Borland. You also tend to strive for perfectionism to a fault, are an overthinker and often need reassurance from others.
People with high-functioning anxiety tend to overfunction. They may work extra hours, volunteer for extra assignments or try to perfectly do all tasks. They look for clues on how society defines success and pressure themselves to achieve or surpass these often unrealistic expectations.
Medication can also be beneficial treating high functioning anxiety. Usually, antidepressants—selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications—benzodiazepines, and beta blockers are prescribed to decrease anxiety symptoms. SSRIs take a few weeks to begin working and carry some side effects.
In people suffering from anxiety, the sympathetic nervous system doesn't do its job well. As a result, the stress hormones keep getting released, triggering anxiety symptoms. Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to structural degeneration and decreased functionality of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.
While it isn't a formal diagnosis, don't underestimate the toll this condition can take on mental health. Here's what to know about high-functioning anxiety and tips for how to manage it.
Overall, anxiety traits are correlated with neuroticism and introversion but have a greater association with neuroticism. People with high neuroticism and introversion scores are more likely to feel anxious.
Some of the common risk factors for high-functioning anxiety include: A family history of anxiety disorders. Certain physical conditions, most commonly related to thyroid issues. Growing up in an environment with triggers, such as having parents or siblings who suffer from anxiety.
“High functioning anxiety may be caused by a fear of failure, fear of not being enough, or doing enough. Oftentimes, these fears are built after being in a competitive environment that encourages success by setting 'high achieving' as the standard,” Ozturk explains.
Recognize the Signs
Extreme feelings of fear or anxiety that are out of proportion to the actual threat. Irrational fear or worry about different objects or situations. Avoiding the source of your fear or only enduring it with great anxiety. Withdrawing from social situations or isolating yourself from friends and ...
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.
Anxiety triggers our natural fight or flight response. Individuals with high-functioning anxiety tend to get stuck in the “fight” mode, whereas those with low-functioning anxiety prefer the “flight” mode.
Dating someone with anxiety can feel very overwhelming and stressful, especially once your partner's behavior shifts. They may start to shut down, pull away, and behave in a passive-aggressive manner, or they may become more controlling, angry, or overly critical.
Heart Problems
These can spike your heart and breathing rates the same way anxiety does. Panic attacks and heart attacks in particular have similar -- and sometimes identical -- symptoms. Both can cause dizziness, chest pain, and trouble breathing.
Your legs can also feel jelly-like, rubbery-feeling, and that you have to force yourself to walk. Your legs can also feel like they are numb and you have a hard time feeling them. Your legs feel unusually tired and heavy.
Anxiety can cause quite a few issues when it comes to your skin, such as stress rashes (hives) and excessive sweating. These conditions can be uncomfortable, sometimes itchy or painful, and may even impact how you feel about yourself. Here's what you need to know about why they might be happening and what you can do.
Research has shown that there is a high correlation between being intelligent and socially anxious. The higher your IQ, the higher the chance your social apprehension is higher than usual. Of course, that doesn't mean that your social anxiety should be classified as a disorder.